ᐅ KALLAX installed in a damp room – should it be discarded immediately?
Created on: 2 Feb 2016 08:37
K
Kugote
Hello everyone,
I recently bought a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA and am now wondering if I can place it directly in a humid room, specifically in my utility room with occasional high humidity, or if I should just dispose of it immediately.
I know the KALLAX shelving unit is made of particleboard and only covered with a melamine coating, which is probably not specifically water-resistant. I am mainly interested in whether the shelf will swell significantly, warp, or even pose health risks due to mold growth when exposed to moisture.
Does anyone have experience with the material properties and know if the KALLAX shelving unit can be used long-term in a humid room, or should I look for a fully waterproof alternative? Thanks in advance for your advice!
I recently bought a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA and am now wondering if I can place it directly in a humid room, specifically in my utility room with occasional high humidity, or if I should just dispose of it immediately.
I know the KALLAX shelving unit is made of particleboard and only covered with a melamine coating, which is probably not specifically water-resistant. I am mainly interested in whether the shelf will swell significantly, warp, or even pose health risks due to mold growth when exposed to moisture.
Does anyone have experience with the material properties and know if the KALLAX shelving unit can be used long-term in a humid room, or should I look for a fully waterproof alternative? Thanks in advance for your advice!
T
taMoniqu682 Feb 2016 11:03KALLAX in a damp room? In my experience, the shelves swelled at the edges after a few months. Do not use it there if it gets damp.
taMoniqu68 schrieb:
My shelves have swollen at the edges after a few months.That confirms my assessment. The weak point is usually the unprotected edges where moisture causes the material to swell.
Many people also differentiate between occasional short-term moisture exposure and consistently high humidity. KALLAX often tolerates the former but not the latter.
Kugote schrieb:
Sealing with clear varnish could help reduce the risk of swellingYou can try that; it’s usually worth it. Regularly ventilating your room also helps reduce the risk of mold.
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piBenedi413 Feb 2016 09:41I also have my KALLAX shelf unit in a more humid basement and can confirm that after two years there have been slight changes at the joints, but with regular ventilation it has remained stable so far. If durability is important, the edges should be treated additionally, and the shelf should not be placed directly on a damp floor.
I think it’s a shame to dispose of furniture immediately just because it might not be perfect. Often, with a bit of care and caution, it can last much longer.
What are your requirements for stability and appearance? Do you plan to use the shelf permanently or just for a short time?
I think it’s a shame to dispose of furniture immediately just because it might not be perfect. Often, with a bit of care and caution, it can last much longer.
What are your requirements for stability and appearance? Do you plan to use the shelf permanently or just for a short time?
piBenedi41 schrieb:
What are your requirements regarding stability and appearance? Do you want to use the shelf permanently or just for a short time?I’d like to use the shelf as permanently as possible, and it should remain visually appealing as well.
There is ventilation in the utility room, and I believe I can avoid direct water contact.
I plan to seal the edges with paint and add small feet underneath. If that doesn’t work out, I might consider using the shelf elsewhere and install a more moisture-resistant solution in that space.
Thanks for the helpful tips – I think this will work better than I expected.
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